Niclas Wallin to San Jose?

At the expense of a more formal introduction (my name is Matt), I wanted to get this out there as soon as possible for anyone reading the blog.

About a half hour ago, TSN's James Duthie, who is usually as reliable as they come in the hockey world, reported that the Carolina Hurricanes were considering moving defenseman Niclas Wallin. He tweeted that San Jose was a possibility here-

http://twitter.com/tsnjamesduthie/status/8607868766

He went on to say that Wallin, who has a NTC, has likely waived it.

http://twitter.com/tsnjamesduthie/status/8608192001

It was just now confirmed that Wallin is indeed a healthy scratch for tonight, so this looks like it could be a done deal.

I'm guessing a 3rd round pick, or possibly a mid level prospect and a 7th.

Details and analysis to follow.


UPDATE #1 4:20pm

TSN is now reporting that a deal is imminent n their site.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=308812

Wallin's cap hit is $1.725m, and the Sharks can only afford a cap hit of $1.095m, so it would appear a roster player will be dealt if this trade is going to go through.


UPDATE #2 4:45pm

With a roster player having to go back, I'm starting to get the impression that this trade could be akin to the "trade someone with positive value (Wallin) for someone they don't want to take on plus a positive value draft pick/prospect" that has been popularized in the cap-ridden NHL.

If that is the case, I can see a few possibilities. The player would have to be earning at least $650k salary in order for the Sharks to have the cap space.

In order of my perceived likelihood (nothing is official)-

1. Wallin for Shelley (750K) + 3rd round pick
-Shelley is redundant with younger Staubitz and McLaren, and those two do not make enough (500K & 543K respectively) to clear

2. Wallin + 4th round pick for McGinn (997K)
-McGinn was sent to Woostah today, although as we all know, could definitely just be routine shuttling.

3. Wallin + 3rd round pick for Mitchell (1.357m)
-Mitchell hasn't regained form yet and has a high cap hit, and Carolina will likely be looking for a young player.

4. Wallin for Huskins (1.7m) + 5th round pick
-I'm going to say there is a very outside chance of this happening only because it would enable another move based on the wash in salary, and it would save salary next year (Wallin is going to retire at the end of the year).


UPDATE #3 5:15pm

So, a little backstory on Wallin while we're waiting for more information.

Wallin holds a NTC because there were a lot of rumors going around that after Carolina won the Stanley Cup in 05-06, Wallin (who was an impending UFA) wished to return home to Sweden to raise his family. It came down to him either staying in Carolina or moving home to Sweden, so Carolina offered him a three year contract with a NTC to entice him to stay.

This is relevant for any Sharks historians, who remember Wallin opting not to waive his NTC to come to San Jose in the 07-08 season, when the Sharks were offering Ehrhoff in return.

Flashing forward to the present, Wallin has stated that he will retire at the end of his contract, in which this is his final year. When this rumor first surfaced a few days ago, he also stated that he is honored that a team (SJ) thinks that highly of him, and that Carolina wants to give him a last shot at a Stanley Cup (of which they are nowhere close to).